Shloka 29

अलंबलवधः (Alaṃbala-vadhaḥ) / The Slaying of Alaṃbala and the Advance toward Karṇa

Devanagari script

उपायान्तं तु राधेयं दृष्टवा पार्थो महारथ:

Transliteration

upāyāntaṁ tu rādheyaṁ dṛṣṭvā pārtho mahārathaḥ

Translation

Sañjaya said: Seeing Rādheya (Karna) advancing toward him, Pārtha (Arjuna)—the great chariot-warrior—took note of his approach.

Word by Word

• उपायान्तम्: approaching (coming near)
• उपायान्तम्: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-या (धातु √या)
• Form: शतृ (वर्तमान कृदन्त), Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• तु: but/indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• राधेयम्: Radheya (Karna)
• राधेयम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: राधेय
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु √दृश्)
• Form: क्त्वा (अव्ययभाव), absolutive (having seen)

• पार्थः: Partha (Arjuna)
• पार्थः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महारथः: the great chariot-warrior
• महारथः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महारथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Rādheya (Karṇa)
• Pārtha (Arjuna)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the moment of recognition before decisive action: a warrior must perceive the situation clearly (seeing the opponent’s advance) and meet it with steadiness. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, such moments test kṣatriya-dharma—courage, readiness, and responsibility amid tragic rivalry.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya narrates that Arjuna notices Karṇa advancing toward him. The line sets the scene for an imminent confrontation between two foremost mahārathas, intensifying the battle narrative and foreshadowing a critical clash.